Etihad road show

[FlyWolf]

Anyone been to the Etihad road show today in NY? what can we expect from the road show? Thanks in advance.

 

[BritishGuy]

Yeah - they gave quite an impressive presentation today in NY and there is lot to be said for the way Etihad is expanding. Quite exciting and it seems that there are real opportunities there. BUT - I just wish they'd let people know that they're looking for people with Airbus types (and about 500 on type) on these roadshows. So, if you're an RJ driver - don't bother showing up really. It seemed the large majority were from the RJ community and wasted their time. Etihad have said they may open up to non-type rated people soon, but personally I think it'll be VERY SOON. I didn't see the volume of people I would have expected to turn up on day one of the road show at a major port (JFK). I'd said maybe 10-15% of the folks may have had what they were looking for (maybe even less). With this turn out in JFK, I don't think they other cities will have much of a better turn out. Turned up at 12pm - there were around 25 people there I'd say. By 2pm - there were none (well almost!) I really think they should drop the airbus requirement (so I can have a shot!)

 

[On Your Six]

Yeah - they gave quite an impressive presentation today in NY and there is lot to be said for the way Etihad is expanding. Quite exciting and it seems that there are real opportunities there. BUT - I just wish they'd let people know that they're looking for people with Airbus types (and about 500 on type) on these roadshows. So, if you're an RJ driver - don't bother showing up really. It seemed the large majority were from the RJ community and wasted their time. Etihad have said they may open up to non-type rated people soon, but personally I think it'll be VERY SOON. I didn't see the volume of people I would have expected to turn up on day one of the road show at a major port (JFK). I'd said maybe 10-15% of the folks may have had what they were looking for (maybe even less). With this turn out in JFK, I don't think they other cities will have much of a better turn out. Turned up at 12pm - there were around 25 people there I'd say. By 2pm - there were none (well almost!) I really think they should drop the airbus requirement (so I can have a shot!)

It's not like they don't have money to train people... EK doesn't require pilots to have 777 ratings for the Boeing fleet. Personally, I think that says a lot about Etihad and how they might treat their employees in the future - they are cheap (despite being loaded)...

 

[JA PILOT]

I agree it was a waste of a day for the RJ guys. They were not interested in us and it does show a negative vibe to Etihad.
Do not bother waste your time.

 

[Stuka Luva]

Yeah, they should post that they are looking for pilots with the Type and 500 hrs...

...however, there are plenty of Airbus pilots out there looking for work with UAL, Spirit, Frontier, US Airways (west), etc. So, why not be picky if they can? It's up to them. This being their first Road Show in the States, maybe they didn't know what to expect, who knows.

The presentation was well done and they didn't try to BS you with only the good parts. They were very upfront about the housing crisis there right now. Capt Matta was very professional and friendly. I think they did a good job with promoting their company and growth plans. No reason to be so down on the company just they didn't invite you to an interview.

 

[bigsky]

All I know is I used to live in Phoenix, and currently Texas. I was in Abu Dhabi yesterday and have to say that was the hottest place on earth! I think many people are down on the company as with all the growth there are hick-ups, but they do have a pretty impressive airline. I personally like Abu Dhabi except for the weather in summer.

 

[FlyWolf]

Many thanks guys, their website doesn't mention any requirement about having an Airbus type, is this a new requirement then? how about hiring into the 777? Is a 717 experience of any value?

 

[BritishGuy]

Many thanks guys, their website doesn't mention any requirement about having an Airbus type, is this a new requirement then? how about hiring into the 777? Is a 717 experience of any value?

Not from what I heard. I think they're pretty specific about type and 500 in type. They said they'll entertain with around 400 in type just so long as you can get the 500 by groundschool. There was a Spirit guy there who had the hours but 100 in type (and is on furlough) - they wouldn't entertain him - and so left him in the same position as the RJ guys. Shame I thought.

 

[saviboy]

I plan to attend one of the sessions, but in the mean time, thanks to anybody who can answer the following.
Were they specific about housing?
1)Do you first go into company privided housing and then you can get something on your own?
2) if you decide to get something on your own ,can you keep the difference between the actual rent amount and the allowance?( its probably hard to do this regardless, due to the crisis, but in theory, could u?)
3)were they specific as to the location of the company provided units?

thanks

 

[FlyWolf]

Thanks BritishGuy for all the info.

 

[Stuka Luva]

Were they specific about housing?
1)Do you first go into company privided housing and then you can get something on your own?
2) if you decide to get something on your own ,can you keep the difference between the actual rent amount and the allowance?( its probably hard to do this regardless, due to the crisis, but in theory, could u?)
3)were they specific as to the location of the company provided units?

thanks

From what I understand,

1)I'm not really sure to be honest

2)Yes, I believe that is the case, but you are right, it's extremely expensive to go out on your own and since rental inflation is rampant, I don't know how long you would even be able to afford that. Capt Matta said that up to last year I think landlords could increase your rent by 100% take it or leave it, and if you don't like it, you got 1 week to move out. The gov't eventually stepped in and now the most they can increase it by is 5% per year. Keep in mind, housing is in such short supply rent typically is astronomical already.

3)The locations are changing as more and more properties come online to better the chance to get in one soon (out of the hotel they will put you up in in the meantime if necessary). They have specific criteria for the properties to meet, so I'd imagine to qualify, they should be quite nice...the three bedroom apt averages 1800 square feet. I don't know the locations right now, maybe someone who's already there can chime in.

 

[saviboy]

From what I understand,

1)I'm not really sure to be honest

2)Yes, I believe that is the case, but you are right, it's extremely expensive to go out on your own and since rental inflation is rampant, I don't know how long you would even be able to afford that. Capt Matta said that up to last year I think landlords could increase your rent by 100% take it or leave it, and if you don't like it, you got 1 week to move out. The gov't eventually stepped in and now the most they can increase it by is 5% per year. Keep in mind, housing is in such short supply rent typically is astronomical already.

3)The locations are changing as more and more properties come online to better the chance to get in one soon (out of the hotel they will put you up in in the meantime if necessary). They have specific criteria for the properties to meet, so I'd imagine to qualify, they should be quite nice...the three bedroom apt averages 1800 square feet. I don't know the locations right now, maybe someone who's already there can chime in.

thanks a lot

 

[typhoonpilot]

From what I understand,

1)I'm not really sure to be honest

2)Yes, I believe that is the case, but you are right, it's extremely expensive to go out on your own and since rental inflation is rampant, I don't know how long you would even be able to afford that. Capt Matta said that up to last year I think landlords could increase your rent by 100% take it or leave it, and if you don't like it, you got 1 week to move out. The gov't eventually stepped in and now the most they can increase it by is 5% per year. Keep in mind, housing is in such short supply rent typically is astronomical already.

3)The locations are changing as more and more properties come online to better the chance to get in one soon (out of the hotel they will put you up in in the meantime if necessary). They have specific criteria for the properties to meet, so I'd imagine to qualify, they should be quite nice...the three bedroom apt averages 1800 square feet. I don't know the locations right now, maybe someone who's already there can chime in.

Just to provide some real numbers to the mix. The three bedroom 1800 sq.ft. townhouses near the airport are currently selling for just under $700,000. A three bedroom apartment in the same community would be just over $500,000. A two bedroom 1000 sq.ft. apartment on Reem Island is currently just under $500,000.

Rental on these places has increased significantly in the last year. Average two bedroom apartment rents in Abu Dhabi have increased to around $3400/month. It is possible to find places for less than that the further inland you go.

Some Etihad pilots prefer living in the Dubai Marina, which is only a 45 minute to 1 hour drive to the Abu Dhabi airport. Rents in the Marina start at $2200/month for a 1 bedroom and go up towards $4100/month for a three bedroom. Utilities would be extra of course.

Some people I know in the Abu Dhabi property market believe that prices will go to over $800/sq.ft. for apartments on Reem Island. Currently you can still buy for between $461 and $652. I'm a bit skeptical of that, but they still remain significantly higher than the USA. Villas and townhomes are currently between $270/sq.ft. and $540/sq.ft. depending on location.



Typhoonpilot

 

[johnsonrod]

Yeah - they gave quite an impressive presentation today in NY and there is lot to be said for the way Etihad is expanding. Quite exciting and it seems that there are real opportunities there. BUT - I just wish they'd let people know that they're looking for people with Airbus types (and about 500 on type) on these roadshows. So, if you're an RJ driver - don't bother showing up really. It seemed the large majority were from the RJ community and wasted their time. Etihad have said they may open up to non-type rated people soon, but personally I think it'll be VERY SOON. I didn't see the volume of people I would have expected to turn up on day one of the road show at a major port (JFK). I'd said maybe 10-15% of the folks may have had what they were looking for (maybe even less). With this turn out in JFK, I don't think they other cities will have much of a better turn out. Turned up at 12pm - there were around 25 people there I'd say. By 2pm - there were none (well almost!) I really think they should drop the airbus requirement (so I can have a shot!)

This really bothers me. Sure, I won't be applying to Etihad any time soon because I have zero Airbus time. But when you think about it, Emirates has had success hiring RJ pilots and putting them right into 777s and A330s/340s. Cathay Pacific does the same. So, why would hiring experienced, high-time RJ or corporate/fractional pilots with great glass time
be a problem?

Again, Etihad is owned by one of the WEALTHIEST countries in the world. One government-owned hotel there cost something like $800 million to $1 billion to build. They have more oil reserves than Dubai (neighboring emriate). The fact that a type rating wouldn't be included is ridiculous when EK pays for training. Like OYS said above, it seems very, very cheap. I agree that it speaks to how Etihad might treat their employees in the future.

If I were to move all the way to the Middle East with my family, I would avoid a cheap airline like Etihad and focus my attention on EK. It seems to me that Emirates sets the standard - it might not be perfect by any means, but it certainly seems better than Etihad. That's my $0.02.

 

[FlyWolf]

Like Britishguy motioned above, I have a feeling they will change that very soon when they realize they can't find enough Airbus pilots who are interested in living in Abu Dhabi.